The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube plans on taking full advantage. Laube recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Laube also discussed debunking the small school narratives, what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his personal scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Laube better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Dylan Laube: I found out on a Friday night before a big Saturday game against Rhode Island. My coaches and agents informed me. They gave me a heads-up that I was receiving the invite to the Senior Bowl. It was actually funny because it was a huge conference call with my coach, my agents, and my family. It was a huge call. It was an unbelievable feeling.
I’m a small-town kid. This felt like a dream come true for me. Coming from a small school, getting an invite to the Senior Bowl was a dream come true and a big goal of mine. I was floored. I was so happy. It was a crazy feeling.
JM: That sounds like an incredible moment. What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Dylan Laube: I’m 100% looking to prove that a small-school kid can play at a big-time level. I want to prove that I’m the versatile player they saw on tape. I want to show everyone that I’m not just a guy that can play one position. I can play running back, in the slot, and on special teams. I can play everything.
I want to show everyone that I can play at the NFL level. That’s the mission.
JM: Speaking of versatility, you posted 749 rushing yards, and 699 receiving yards this season, with 16 total touchdowns. Those are astounding numbers. How did you develop those dual-threat abilities? How important that is for a running back in today’s NFL.
Dylan Laube: Growing up, I was always the smallest kid. I wasn’t a big kid. I had to work my butt off for every opportunity that came my way. I always had to earn my spots. In high school, I was playing on offense, defense, and special teams. I always had to be versatile in order to carve out a role for myself.
It was the same thing when I got to college at New Hampshire. They were like hey, we expect you to be a receiver and a running back. Who knows. I always played running back, but I kept working on my craft as a receiver, too. I was used to playing everything. Wherever they put me, I’m going to play it and embrace it. I’ve always enjoyed that versatility by putting my best foot forward no matter the role.
The running back position has been in the news over the past few months. We saw how those contract situations played out. The way the position is being played has changed. There aren’t many Derrick Henry types anymore. It’s all about versatility.
If I can play multiple positions, teams will find a lot of value in that. It’s about winning one-versus-one matchups out wide against a linebacker. It’s about being able to thrive in empty sets. There are benefits to not being a one-dimensional back.
JM: We’ve seen that from you on tape. How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Dylan Laube: Versatility is at the forefront of my game. I take a lot of pride in never leaving the field. I’m an every-down, every-snap type of player. I don’t like taking snaps off. I’m used to playing that role. I just keep on going. Versatility helps. They called me a Swiss army knife at New Hampshire for my ability to do everything on the field.
JM: We can’t wait to watch you in Mobile. We’re all so excited to see you in person. If you had to give yourself an NFL comp, who would you choose and why?
Dylan Laube: I hate to do it, but in today’s NFL, Christian McCaffrey is the best, most versatile back in the league. I’m not saying I’m him (laughs). I watch his game and study his film. I’m always trying to emulate what he does as I look to improve my skill set. I would say Christian McCaffrey.
JM: Learning from the greats makes a lot of sense. What can you achieve at the Senior Bowl that you can’t at other pre-draft events?
Dylan Laube: The Senior Bowl is giving me an opportunity to highlight myself on the biggest pre-draft stage. NFL scouts want to see how I handle the pressure of being a small-school guy at the Senior Bowl. They want to see me compete against FBS talents. Every scout, coach, and general manager is going to be watching closely. They want to see how I perform under the spotlight. That’s the biggest thing for me as a small school guy.
We don’t get a lot of coverage. We don’t play in the most talented conference. At the end of the day, if I’m able to show up and perform to the best of my ability, there are no lingering questions about my potential at the next level.
JM: I love that mentality. What’s on your pre-game playlist?
Dylan Laube: I’m more of a laid-back guy, especially during the pre-game process. I like feeling zen. I’ll listen to anything that’s relaxing. I switch it up. I listen to 80s pop, rock and roll, and hip-hop. I love the classics. I listen to Rihanna. It’s very relaxing, calming music. I don’t want to get too fired up. I like staying in my zone, being relaxed and calm. My playlist has a bunch of different songs from different genres.
JM: Your playlist is as versatile as your game. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Dylan Laube?
Dylan Laube: A successful Senior Bowl includes me embracing the competition level. If I can compete and win my reps, and I know it’s impossible to win every rep, but the goal is to compete. If I win the majority of my reps, scouts are going to leave saying, “Hey, that Dylan Laube kid can play.”
How do I respond and perform after a bad rep? All 32 teams will be evaluating me and how I respond to different situations. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities. I’m going to perform at a high level. I’m gonna go out there, win a bunch of reps, and have a whole bunch of fun doing it.
